Foodstuff.

Down Under Sends A Taste Of Autumn

One advantage of the global economy is that fresh fruit and vegetables are available year round: When winter bites in the northern hemisphere, it's summer in countries such as Argentina, Chile, Australia and New Zealand.

Two fall apples from New Zealand, Braeburn and Fuji, now are available in major supermarkets here.

New Zealand, which introduced Granny Smith apples to the U.S. in 1958, has been cultivating apples since European settlers first brought seedlings to that country in the early 1800s.

The Braeburn-characterized by a tart-sweet taste-was a genetic accident discovered in 1950 and perfected by growers in New Zealand's Braeburn Valley.

It looks like a green apple sprayed red by a nearsighted painter. New Zealand exports more Braeburns than any other apple.

The honey-sweet Fuji apple was first developed in Japan. It has a pretty golden-orange background with red streaks, making it a fine addition to a fruit bowl.

Dominick's has each of these apples on sale: Braeburns are priced at 68 cents a pound while the Fujis are 88 cents.